Dennis mock-up on tour
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• Dennis Specialist Vehicles is inviting operators to view a fullsize wooden mock-up of the lower section of its low-floor citybus, which was unveiled this week.
The mock-up, which is being completed at DSV's Guildford base, replicates the front threequarters of the SLF chassis.
It will be loaned to operators who want to try out different seating plans.
Most of the seats will be at the front lower section. A first step height of 320mm gives access to a flat-floor saloon area which runs three quarters of the length of the bus. A kneeling device lowers the bus by a further 70mm. The rear 13 seats are at a higher level to clear the rear axle and transmission.
The main innovations are at the front and chassis frame. The frame is a welded box-steel structure to provide the bodybuilder with a rolling chassis complete with body floor framing and outriggers, but relies on the bodywork for its rigidity.
The 11.5m chassis uses ZF independent front suspension with air-operated Girling disc brakes. Both systems were chosen for their compact design, which allows a wide gangway from the entrance into the saloon. ZF power steering comes as standard with an adjustable steering column.
Dennis has used the power plant from its Lance citybus: a charge-cooled vertical mounted 157kW (211hp) 8.3-litre Cummins C-Series engine which meets the Euro-1 emission regs.
It drives an Eaton singlereduction rear axle through an automatic ZF 4HP500 gearbox with integral retarder. There is a straight propshaft; air suspension is fitted all round.
"All chassis related maintenance can be carried out from outside the vehicle," says bus sales director Roger Heard. "With a rear-mounted radiator there is no need for lengthy pipe runs from the front of the vehicle. The SLF has a design GVW of 18 tonnes but will be plated at 16.8 tonnes. It goes into production early next year and Heard believes operators will be attracted by its price and simplicity.
"Operators throughout Britain have expressed interest in lowfloor buses but have shown concern about cost and complexity," he says. "As far as cost goes, our aim is to make the SLF bus competitive with existing doubledeck citybuses."